IT took a break last year, but music fans will be delighted to hear Southend’s own arts and music festival, Village Green, is returning this year with a top line-up.

There’s a strong focus on locally rooted, but high-profile talent, with stars including Sam Duckworth – Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, Dr Feelgood legend Wilko Johnson, percussionist Snowboy, comedian the Boy With Tape on His Face, who appeared at the Royal Variety Show this year, and burlesque artist Lili La Scala.

There will also be an energetic electroswing set from dapper duo the Correspondents, as well as performances from Passenger, Shirt Tail Stompers, Jugnu Bhangra and Brazil Arts, and a wide range of visual artists, street theatre, comedy and a marketplace of more than 100 artists and craftspeople.

There will be new additions for the year too with a “cycle in” cinema presented in partnership with Cycle Southend and the White Bus, fans of swing can learn to lindy hop and waltz at a tea dance party and cabaret artists will perform at side show tents. If all the excitement gets too much, you can enjoy a quieter moment with some spoken word and storytelling in the grounds of Chalkwell Hall and a cup of tea from Metal’s pop-up cafe.

Village Green, organised with support from Southend Council and Arts Council England, is this year being curated as one of the many events associated with the town’s season of activity surrrounding the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

Simon Leftley, Southend Council’s corporate director for adult and community services, says: “Village Green is a hugely popular free landmark event, and we are very proud to support it through our partnership with the arts organisation, Metal.

“Since becoming established in Southend, Metal has made – and continues to make – a major contribution to the cultural life of the borough.

“With such a terrific and legendary line-up of artists and activities at this year’s Village Green, it will truly be unmissable.”

There will be a number of visual artists who’ve been commissioned by Metal to respond to an Olympic theme across the festival site.

So look out for a range of humorous, playful and more literal interpretations – and make sure you are prepared to join in. The event, which has attracted audiences of around 28,000 from across the area and London, has become something of a cultural highlight in the town’s thriving arts scene.

If you want to get involved, there are plenty of opportunities with places still available for stalls and food concessions, as well as volunteers being sought to help run the event.

If you are interested, visit www.metalculture.com Village Green, which is free, takes place in Chalkwell Park, London Road, Westcliff, on June 30, 11am to 8pm.